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A- EXCEPT(FOR)
1- Except with or without for
We use except (for) after general statements, especially after generalising words like all, every, no,
everything, anybody, nowhere, whole etc.
- He ate everything on his plate except (for) the beans.
- He ate the whole meal except (for) the beans.

2- Except for
In other cases we usually use except for, not except. Compare:
- I've cleaned all the rooms except( for) the bathroom.(Except is possible after all.)
* I've cleaned the house except for the bathroom.(NOT......except the bathroom.)

- Nobody came except (for) John and Mary.(after nobody)
* Except for John and Mary, nobody came.(before nobody)

- You couldn't hear anything except (for) the noise of Louise typing.
* The house was quiet except for the noise of Louise typing.

3- Except
We use except, not except for , before prepositions and conjunctions.
- It's the same eveywhere except in Scotland. (NOT...... except for in Scotland.)
- He is good-looking except when he smiles.

4- Except (for)+ pronoun

After except (for) we use object pronouns , not subjec pronouns.
- Evebody understand except me.
- We're all ready except her.

5- except + verb
A verb form after except usually depends on what came before. Infinitives are normally without
to.
- He does nothing except eat all day. (does................. eat )
- She's not interested in anything except skiing.( interested in............. skiing)

6- Except and without
Except (for) is only used to talk about exceptions to generalisations In other cases , without or but for may be preferable.
Compare:
- Nobody helped me except you.
- Without/ But for your help, I would have failed.(NOT Except for your help,.....)

B- BESIDES, EXCEPT and APART FROM.
These expressions are sometimes confused.
Besides usually adds : it is like saying with or plus (+)
- Besides the violin, he plays the piano and the flute. (He plays three instruments )

Except subtracts : it is like saying without or minus (-)
- I like all musical instruments except the violin.

Apart from can be used in both senses.
- Apart from the violin, he plays the piano and the flute.( = Besides the violin, he plays the piano and the flute)
- I like all musical instruments apart from the violin.(= I like all musical instruments except the violin.)
After no, nobody, nothing and similar negative words, the three expressions can all have the same meaning.
- He has nothing besides/except/apart from his salary.(= He only has his salary )

(Quoted from PEU by Michael Swan.)